Christmas Down Under for Fergal as he faces last leg of Rossie to Aussie trip
Fergal Guihen pictured taking a breather from his epic cycle from Perth to Melbourne.
It may be his second Christmas away from home, but this year Fergal Guihen is hoping to enjoy it with friends rather than in a lonely Chinese city of over 21 million people.
The Rossie to Aussie cyclist is nearing the end of his epic 23,000 kms trip, with just one more major leg to go, from Melbourne to Sydney. He is now taking a break from the bike for the festive season.
Last Christmas Fergal was in Chengu in China where Christmas is not celebrated. He is unsure whether it will be a wholly traditional Christmas with all the trimmings in Melbourne, but he is happy to be among friends this year.
Somewhat of a celebrity at this stage- although he would fully deny the term- his story is well known after he decided to cycle from Arigna to Sydney back in March 2024. Anticipating an 11-month journey, it has extended somewhat beyond that, but his travels have offered him opportunities he never expected. While he may have arrived at his ‘Aussie’ part of his adventures he still has a long way to go before he and his bike completely rest. After that, who knows what the future holds for this adventurous Arigna man who has achieved more in his 26 years that most of us get to dream of in a lifetime.
It hasn’t been easy though. He has had some wonderful highlights and some very scary lowlights, but nevertheless his enthusiasm for this epic challenge has never waned. His goal all along has not been only to reach Australia’s Sydney Opera House but also to raise funds for North West STOP and the Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
Inadvertently in doing so he has inspired many others in achieving their goals and although he may be shy of praise, he has amassed a large number of followers with his incredible story.
Nothing seems to daunt Fergal. He anticipated the trip he would undertake would be full of ups and downs and his stamina and enthusiasm remain as they were when he first left home.
When he arrived in Perth in October he decided to take a little break from his challenge and was delighted to be surprised by a visit from his parents. Mary and Kieran Guihen visited Down Under for the first time having not seen their son in over a year. They also took the opportunity to visit their daughter Roisin and their 16 month old grandson Seb who live there.
The family sent three weeks together before it was time for Fergal to hop back on his bike and face the 6,000 km trek across the country. “I left the hardest leg until last,” he laughed, “I must enjoy the suffering.” This is a tough time of year to undertake such an endeavour as Australia enters summer time, but hoped that his time in Asia might have helped him acclimatise to the extreme heat.
He plans to spend Christmas in Melbourne, having trekked 1600 kms at this point from Perth and to ring in the festivities with friends and other cyclists he met on his adventures.
Talking to the Roscommon Herald last week he still had 200 kms to go before hitting the culture capital of Australia but hoped to arrive in the city by December 23rd. He said this year was completely different from the bitter cold of China last year as he made his way along the Great Ocean Road. “There are amazing views and cliffs. It’s mid-summer and you have the smell of sheep who had been sheared and the cattle in the fields.” He hopes to leave Perth around January 10th and complete final the very final leg of his trip, the 1100 kms cycle to Sydney.
Asked if he planned to have a traditional Christmas he was unsure but said it had to be better than the previous year which he spent in Chengdu in China which has a population of 21 million but don’t mark the Christmas holidays.
“No matter what, this year will be a bit more Christmassy.” Fergal was also delighted to get an early Christmas present when he saw that his idonate page has reached well in excess of €113,000. He said it was surreal adding: “I didn’t really have a target at the start. If I got €40,000 I would have been absolutely delighted. I have received massive support and it just seems to keep on growing throughout Ireland.”
In fact he was somewhat taken aback during his stay in Perth where people came up to him to praise him for undergoing the challenge and his success in doing so. “I didn’t really know how to respond to that praise and people saying they took inspiration from it. It felt a bit strange when people recognised me. Anyone can do what I’m doing.” He said he will take time to reflect on his journey when he has it fully completed. “I still wouldn’t class myself as a cyclist. I just enjoyed the journey especially discovering countries like Vietnam and Cambodia. Wherever I travelled I was immediately accepted.” Asked if he had advice for those thinking of embarking on a similar trek he said: “Just be prepared for a long journey. For me the time before leaving was the hardest part. I knew I wouldn’t mind the camping and the physical side as I was used to endurance running.” He also said: “A lot of people will tell you not to do it and it’s not possible but that’s their own fears and perceptions.” His advice is to “not to let other people’s limitations affect your own ambitions”..
*Donations are still being accepted through www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/RossietoAussie
